Andruw Jones, the iconic former Braves center fielder, was not elected to the Hall of Fame in his eighth year on the ballot. His gains suggest he could be inducted in either of the next two years, but he’ll need a bump in support.
Jones appeared on 66.2% of ballots, an increase from his 61.6% in 2024. A player must be on 75% of ballots — which are cast by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America — for Hall of Fame induction.
Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, left-hander CC Sabathia and reliever Billy Wagner were elected to the Hall of Fame. Wagner’s final season came with the Braves in 2010, when he posted 37 saves and a 1.43 ERA over 69-1/3 innings during an All-Star campaign.
Wagner, on the ballot for the final time, earned 82.5% of the vote.
Two players appeared on more than half of the ballots but were not elected: Jones and outfielder Carlos Beltrán, who finished at 70.3%. Jones is trending up, but still needs another push for induction.
Players remain on the Hall of Fame ballot for 10 years — so long as they earn at least 5% of the vote in a given year. Jones has steadily gained support each year. If he doesn’t get elected next year, 2027 would be his final year on the ballot.
He appeared on 7.3% of ballots in 2018, then 7.5% in 2020. Since then, his percentages have steadily risen. He hit 58.1% in 2023 before creeping even closer last year.
Jones, one of the best center fielders in baseball history, was part of the Braves’ iconic core in the 1990s and early 2000s. His otherworldly defense was supplemented by the pop in his bat, and both elements have him knocking on the door of Hall of Fame induction.
From 1998 through 2007 with the Braves, Jones won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves. He was the premier center fielder of his era, and remains one of the best the game has ever seen. He was a five-time All-Star and he won a Silver Slugger Award.
Over 17 seasons in the big leagues, Jones slashed .254/.337/.486 with 1,933 doubles, 383 triples, 434 home runs and 1,289 RBIs. In 12 seasons with the Braves, Jones – who’s from Curaçao — hit .263 with an .839 OPS and 368 home runs.
Among center fielders in baseball history, Jones ranks 11th with 67 Wins Above Replacement, according to FanGraphs. Of the 10 center fielders ahead of Jones, eight are in the Hall of Fame, one could soon make it (Beltrán) and one more (Mike Trout) is a future Hall of Famer.
Jones is fourth in WAR in Braves history. He trails only Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews and Chipper Jones, all of whom are in Cooperstown. Andruw could join them either next year or the one after that.
Fred McGriff (2023) was the last Braves player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Toward the end of the 2023 season, the Braves retired Andruw’s No. 25 jersey. The next step for him: Cooperstown.
It could happen as soon as 2026.
